Manning's pass to Cruz came two plays and 19 seconds after Griffin capped what was a potential game-winning, 77-yard drive with a 30-yard TD pass to Santana Moss. The rookie quarterback had kept the drive alive with a 19-yard pass off a desperate scramble on a fourth-and-10 play deep in his own territory and a 24-yard run on the next play.

Cruz, however, blew by Josh Wilson and Madieu Williams for the decisive score, and the 80,000-plus fans in MetLife Stadium celebrated as Manning triumphantly pumped his fist.